TEMPE, Ariz. – The University of New Mexico softball team opened its season with a 5-0 win over Seattle U, but fell in the second game to UT Arlington 5-1. The Lobos are 1-1 to start 2017.
It was a good start to the season as the Lobos claimed a 5-0 win over Seattle U in game one. The Lobos received solid pitching from senior Tess McPherson and put together some strong offense.
“We had a great first game,” said head coach Erica Beach. “We saw some big hits and were able to have some clutch hitting as well.”
The Lobos got off to a 1-0 lead in the first inning after senior Michala Erickson doubled in her first at-bat as a senior. She later scored on a Doris Smith single.
New Mexico added another run in the fourth inning off Chelsea Johnson’s home run to left field. Three more runs came in the sixth off a Doris Smith three-run bomb.
McPherson and the Lobo defense secured the victory in the seventh by shutting down Seattle 1-2-3.
“Tess threw a gem and really set the tone for the entire game. We had incredible defense behind her as well which helped us big time.”
Erickson and Doris Smith each had two hits. Smith finished with four RBIs. In the circle, McPherson went the distance. She allowed just three hits while walking one and striking out two.
In game two, the Lobos offense was mostly silent until the seventh inning as they fell 5-1 to UT Arlington. The Lobos pounded out six hits on the game, but only could capitalize in the seventh inning.
“Game two was a tough game, but we learned a lot. Jensen threw very well and we just had a hard time making adjustments at the plate. However, I loved that we put a run up late in the game and showed some heart.”
The lone run for the Lobos came after freshman Lauren Wilmert singled with one out. She scored on a Jade Gray single up the middle.
In the circle, the Lobos used two pitchers. Freshman Jensen Main made her first start. She allowed two earned runs in five innings of work. Krissy Fortner came in to try and shut own UT Arlington’s offense but gave up three runs.
At the plate, six Lobos had hits. Gray had the only RBI of the game for the Lobos.
The Lobos will continue the Kajikawa Classic Saturday morning, taking on St. Mary’s at 9 a.m. and Western Michigan at 11:45 a.m. Check out @UNMSoftball on Twitter for live stat links.